23rd Annual Candlelight Vigil: Finding Refuge in Each Other

We will gather to remember the lives of Susanna Blackwell and her unborn child, baby Kristine, Phoebe Dizon, and Veronica Laureta, as well as all those who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. This tragedy organized the API community as a group of women (known as our founding mothers) came together to form the Asian Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center (currently known as API Chaya). While the tragedy and loss of Susanna Blackwell, Phoebe Dizon, and Veronica Laureta occurred 23 years ago, we continue to see the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence in our communities.

We also want to acknowledge the many other forms of violence that are tearing our families and communities apart, including police violence, Islamophobia, transphobia, deportations and much more. Survivors of domestic and sexual violence and our communities are deeply impacted by these systems of power and control.

Accessibility information:

We will try to provide a space that is low-scent. The bathrooms are gendered and are not guaranteed scent-free, but API Chaya will provide scent-free soap. We are working towards ensuring scent-free spaces in our future events. To honor that goal, we are asking all participants to please come to the vigil fragrance-free (no perfumes, colognes, scented laundry soaps, etc) and to use the scent-free soaps provided by API Chaya in the restrooms so that our valued community members with multiple-chemical-sensitivities or environmental illnesses can participate.

There are two portions of this event. An outside program and rally followed by a program inside the courthouse.

OUTSIDE ACCESS:The outside program is ADA accessible. Chairs will be available for people who want to sit during the outdoor program.The outside program is near a busy street with lots of vehicle emissions and pollutants that might not be safe for some participants with multiple chemical sensitives. Due to nearby construction, parking as well as space may also be impacted.Restrooms are located inside the courthouse (see screening information below).

INDOOR ACCESS: The courthouse is ADA accessible, with elevators and ramps located throughout the building. Our event is going to be on the 9th floor of the courthouse, in the presiding courtroom. We cannot guarantee gender neutral bathrooms. The indoor event requires a security screening by the court house by passing through a metal detector. Please see this prohibited items list:http://1.usa.gov/18LqGxs. There will be seating available inside the courthouse. There are also benches located inside the courthouse.

We will provide food that has been donated by local restaurants and volunteers. There will be vegetarian and meat options available. All food will have a list of ingredients.

PARKING (cars, bikes)The courthouse is located in downtown Seattle in the midst of a lot of traffic. Due to construction nearby, there may not be a lot of street parking avaialble. Please review the information linked here for more information about other parking in the area, http://1.usa.gov/1M3YO3I. For folks on bicycles there are bike racks located outside the courthouse on the 4th avenue side of courthouse. Due to nearby construction, this area may also be impacted.

METRO: Link Light Rail Pioneer Square Station the 7, 14, 36, 60, 71, 101, 106 and the C and E lines. If you would like to plan your bus route here is a link to the King County Metro Trip Planner. http://1.usa.gov/1EgUjCd

CHILDCARE: Children are welcome! If you would like support with childcare please email nikki@apichaya.org with the child’s name and age so we can request childcare. We also will have paper and pens available for children if they want to draw.

LANGUAGE ACCESS: Please let us know if you need an interpreter for the event by emailing nikki@apichaya.org.